Container loader



A ril 24, 1962 R. M ROBERT CONTAINER LOADER 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug.26, 1958 3N wow INVENTOR LEON R. MC ROBERT BY M ATTORNEY April 24, 1962Filed Aug. 26, 1958 1.. R. MOROBERT 3,030,751 CONTAINER LOADER 5Sheets-Sheet 2 m INVE NTOR LEON R. MG ROBERT BY g ATTO RN EY 3,030,751Patented Apr. 24, 1962 tree 3,030,751 CONTAINER HEADER Leon R. McRobert,Williamston, Mich, assignor to FMC Corporation, a corporation ofDelaware Filed Aug. 26, 1258, Ser. No. 757,241 6 Claims. (Cl. 53-244)The present invention appertains generally to article handling equipmentand more particularly relates to apparat'us for loading articles intocontainers such as bar'- rels.

One object of the present invention is to provide an improved containerloading apparatus.

Another object is to provide a barrel loading apparatus capable ofaccumulating a plurality of articles into a charge which will later bedeposited into a barrel.

Another object is to provide improved means in a container loader forholding a container adjacent a discharge conveyor in readiness toreceive articles therefrom.

Another object is to provide means in a barrel loader for tilting abarrel into dilferent angular positions while the barrel is being loadedso that the articles loaded thereinto will have substantially no, or atmost limited, free fall in order to protect the articles from bruising.

Another object is to provide means for facilitating the removal offilled barrels from a barrel loader of the type mentioned.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention, as wellas the manner in which it is employed, will become apparent from thefollowing description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective of a potato harvester having the barrel loaderof the present invention incorporated therein.

-FIG. 2 is an enlarged, partly broken away plan of the barrel loader ofthe present invention, including a fragment of the potato harvester.

FIG. 3 is a vertical section of the barrel loader taken along the lines33 of FIG. 2 with certain parts removed.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken along the lines 44 ofFIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an elevation of the barrel loader taken along the lines 55 ofFIG. 2, but showing the apparatus in another operative position.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken along the lines6-6 of FIG. 2 and showing the apparatus in still another operativeposition.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal section taken along thelines 7-7 of FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 1, the barrel loader 10 of the present invention isprovided with a frame structure 12 by which it is rigidly attached tothe chassis members 14 of a potato harvester 16'. The harvester 1 6 hassuitable ground engaging wheels 18 upon which it is moved about. Atractor (not shown) may be attached to the harvester 16 by means of thetongue 20 to move the harvester about a field of potatoes to harvest thepotatoes in a well known manner. The potato harvester 16 includes aninspection conveyor 22 and a motor 24 to continuously advance theconveyor 22 in the direction of the arrow 26 (FIGS. 1 and 2) duringharvesting operations. Side platforms 28 are provided along the chassismember 14 adjacent the conveyor 22 for the use of personnel Whileinspecting the potatoes on the conveyor 22 as the barvesting progressesand manually removing those that do not conform to certain standards ofquality. Potatoes of the quality desired to be loaded into barrels aredischarged from the conveyor 22 at the end 36 and onto 2 anotherconveyor 32 that comprises part of the barrel loader 10.

An operator standing on a platform 34 at the front of the harvester 16controls the loader 10 by means later to be described. The conveyor 32is permitted to remain at rest while a plurality of potatoes aredelivered by the inspection or supply conveyor 22 of the harvester tothe conveyor 32 of the barrel loader 10. After a plurality of potatoesare accumulated on the conveyor 32 to form charge weighing approximatelytwenty pounds and comprising a fraction of a barrel load the loaderattendant actuates the accumulator conveyor 32 which then advances thecharge of potatoes in the direction of the arrow 35 (FIGS. 2 and 3) to awaiting, empty barrel 36. By means of the barrel loader 10 of thepresent invention the loader attendant is able to move the barrel alongan arcuate path to til-t the barrel into any one of a plurality ofangular positions with respect to the discharge end .38 of theaccumulator conveyor 32. In this way, the barrel 36 can be tilted intosuch an angular position that the first charge of potatoes will fallonly a short distance from the conveyor 32 before the charge contactsthe interior of the barrel adjacent the mouth.

The manner of depositing charges of potatoes into the barrel decreasesthe bruising incurred by the individual potatoes over that incurredthereby if deposited singly into the barrel. Since the barrel is tilted,the potatoes of the first charge roll gently down the side of the barreluntil they reach the bottom of the barrel. Each charge of potatoesdelivered into the barrel reduces the distance that the succeedingcharge must drop and, consequently, reduces the possibility or" bruisingthe potatoes. Therefore, the operator moves the barrel one step towardvertical after receiving each successive charge to level out thepotatoes already in the barrel so as to make room for the nextsucceeding charge. The last charge is delivered to the barrel when thebarrel is substantially vertical. Thereafter, the filled barrel isremoved from the loader, and an empty barrel is put in place for anotherloading operation.

As shown best in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the frame structure 12 of the barrelloader 10' comprises opposite sides 40 and 42 that are held in suitablehorizontally spaced relation by means of a plurality of cross ties 46(FIG. 3). Adjacent the discharge end 38 of the accumulator conveyor 32the sides 40 and 42 of the frame structure 12 each has a longitudinalprojection 48 in the form of a vertically extending plate. Adjacent theopposite end of the accumulator conveyor 32 are other plate-likeprojections 52, one on each of the sides 40 and 42.

The accumulator conveyor 32 comprises an endless chain 56 formed of aseries of similar links 58 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 4). Each link 58 has astraight, transversely extending, central part 60 (FIG. 4) and oppositeends 62 that project in trailing relation substantially longitudinallyof the chain 56 from the central part 60. The accumulator conveyor chain56 is located between the sides 40 and 42 and is trained, at thedischarge end 38 of the conveyor 32, about drive sprockets 64 thatengage the straight parts 60 of the links 58 to drive the chain 56 andare rigidly secured to a horizontal drive shaft 66. The drive shaft 66is journalled in bearings 68 (FIG.- 2) that are fixed to the oppositeprojections 48. At the opposite end of the conveyor 32 from the drivesprockets 64 the conveyor chain 56 is trained about oppositely disposedmain idler rollers 72 that are coaXially aligned transversely of thebarrel loader 10 and are journalled by means of bolts 76 on the frameprojections 52. It will be apparent FIG. 4) that each main idler roller72 has a central, cylindrical part 78 at the inner end which of thesleeve.

merges with a radially enlarged flange 80 that is of substantiallyconical form and diverges from the cylindrical part 78 toward theadjacent projection 52.

The lower run 82 of the conveyor chain 56 (FIG. 3) is inclineddownwardly from the drive sprockets 64 at the discharge end 38 of thebarrel loader 10 to the main idler sprockets 72 at the opposite end ofthe conveyor 32.

The upper run 84 of the conveyor chain 56 (FIG. 3) includes asubstantially horizontal part 86 adjacent to and above the main idlerrollers 72 and an oblique part 88 that inclines upwardly from thehorizontal part 86 to the drive sprockets 64. From the main idlerrollers 72 the chain 56 leads upwardly and about two axially spacedapart-rollers 100 comprising an idler roller assembly 102 that islocated at a level somewhat lower than the drive sprockets 64.

The two rollers 100 of the roller assembly 102 are spaced inwardly fromthe ends of a sleeve 104 to which both rollers 100 are fixed. A rod 106received in suitable openings (not shown) in the opposite projections 52of the frame structure 12 extends transversely of the barrel loader 10and through the sleeve 104 to journal the roller assembly 102.

The previously mentioned upper run 84 of the conveyor chain 56 extendslongitudinally from the idler rollers 100 of the assembly 102 to thedrive sprockets 64. In the upper run 84 the substantially horizontalpart 86 thereof and the oblique part 88 are formed through the action ofopposite hold-down and guide rollers 108 (FIGS. 2, 3 and The rollers 108are located near the drive sprockets 64 and each is journalled on one ofthe opposite frame projections 48 by means of a bolt 110 (FIGS. 2 and5), the two bolts 110 being coaxially aligned transversely of theconveyor 32. Each roller 108 has a cylindrical part 111 at the outer endand a radially enlarged flange 112 at its inner end. The rollers 108 arespaced apart transversely of the conveyor 32 so that the flanges 112cooperate with the longitudinally extending ends 62 of the links 58' atopposite sides of the chain 56 and have a lateral guiding effect on thechain 56 to aid in centering the same between the frame sides 40 and 42.Additionally, the cylindrical parts 111 of the rollers 108 engage theupper sides of the link ends 62 to hold down the upper run 84 of thechain 56 in a region intermediate the ends of the run 84, and therebyassure that the potato-receiving part 86 of the run remains horizontaland that the slope of the oblique part 88 remains constant.

Additional roller assemblies 114, similar to the roller assembly 102,are provided between the assembly 102 and the hold-down rollers 108 inorder to support the chain 56 in the horizontal part 86 of the upper run84. One of the two rollers 116 of each assembly 114 is alignedlongitudinally of the barrel loader with one of the rollers 100 of theassembly 102 and is fixed to a sleeve 118, one roller 116 being adjacenteach end The sleeve 118 of each roller assembly 114 extends between theopposite sides 40 and 42 of the frame structure 12' and is journalled ona rod 120 'that is received in the sleeve 11 8 and in suitable alignedassembly 114'.

In order that the roller assemblies 102 and 114 can be easily andquickly removed from the frame structure 12 of the barrel loader 10 themounting rods 106 and 120, respectively, are arranged to be axiallywithdrawn from the assemblies and the frame structure. Accordingly, therod 106 receives a cotter pin 122 (FIGS. 2 and 5) adjacent the oppositeends of the rod 106 to hold the rod against unwarranted axialdisplacement but permit its easy removal. The rods 120 for the rollerassemblies 114 are hooked as at 124 (FIG. 5) at one end and receivecotter pins adjacent their other ends. Thus the rods 120 are retainedagainst axial displacement by the hooks 124 and cotter pins but can beeasily removed by first removing the pins then grasping the hooks 124and withdrawing the rods 120 axially.

The chain 56 (FIG. 3) is driven in the direction of the arrow 35 byengagement of the drive sprockets 64 with the elongate central parts ofthe chain links 58. The rollers 108, as previously explained, aid inmaintaining alignment of the chain 56 with respect to the framestructure 12 in the region of the discharge end 38. At the opposite endof the conveyor 32 the ends 62 of the links 58 comprising the lateraledges of the chain 56 are drawn into positive engagement with theopposed conical surfaces of the flanges (only one of which is shown,FIG. 4) of the main idler rollers 72 to further center and align thechain 56. The chain 56 thus guided rides smoothly as the links 58 in theupper flight 84 move across the rollers and 116 of the assemblies 102and 114, respectively, and the rollers 108.

The conveyor 32, which functions as an accumulator for successivecharges of potatoes, is provided with opposite longitudinal fenders 138and 140 located above the upper run 84 of the conveyor chain 56 andspaced inwardly from the lateral edges thereof. Each of the fenders 138and 140 comprises a backing plate 142 preferably of thin sheet metalhaving a resilient pad 144 of rubber or other suitable cushioningmaterial, that is attached to the inner surface of the plate 142 bybolts 146. The fenders 138 and 140 are supported in operative positionat the inner ends of a plurality of horizontal spacers 148 (FIG. 2) thatrigidly connect the plates 142 of the fenders '138 and 140 to aplurality of upwardly projecting posts 150 (FIG. 5) on the sides 40 and42, respectively, of the loader. The lower edges of the fender plates142 are spaced above the conveyor chain 56 in both the horizontal part86 and the oblique part 88 of the upper run 84. The pads 144, however,project below the plates 142, providing flexible lips 152 (FIG. 2) onthe fenders 138 and 140 that lie upon and have resilient contact withthe article advancing surface of the chain 56.

As shown in FIG. 2 the fenders 138 and 140 are in substantially parallelrelation except that a part 154 of the fender 140, in the region of theoblique part 88 of the upper run 84, is deflected toward the fender 138thus providing the discharge end 38 of the conveyor 32 with an outlet ofrestricted transverse dimension. A chute 156 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 5), ofarcuate form, attached to the plates 142 by bolts 157 (FIG. 3)interconnects the ends of the fenders 138 and 140 at the discharge end38 of the accumulator conveyor 32. The chute 156 is inclined downwardlyand inwardly of the filler 10 for a purpose to be made clearhereinafter.

Power for driving the chain 56 of the accumulator 32 is supplied bymeans of a shaft v158 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 5) that is constantly driven bythe motor 24 when the harvester 16 is in operation. The end of the shaft158, adjacent the loader 10 is journalled in a bearing 160 fixed to theprojecting end of an angle member 161 that is supported in substantiallyhorizontal position by two of the posts 150 on the frame side 40. Asprocket 162, ad-

jacent the end of the shaft 158, is operatively connected by and endlesroller chain 164 to a sprocket 166 fixed to a constantly rotating part168 of a manually operable clutch 170 that is rotatable on theaccumulator drive shaft 66. A clutch control arm 172, which isjournalled in the part 168, is movable to engage the sprocket 166 withthe drive shaft 66 for advancement of the accumulator 32 in thedirection of the arrow 35.

A barrier 173 (FIGS. 2 and 3) extending crosswise of the accumulatorconveyor 32 is provided by a strip of belting 174 or similar flexiblebut rather stiff material.

The barrier 173 is attached by bolts 176 along its upper edge to anangle member 178 that projects transversely of the conveyor 32 from theangle member 161 above the roller assembly 162. The barrier 173 preventspotatoes, which are delivered by the supply conveyor 22 to theaccumulator conveyor 32, from possible loss off the adjacent end of theconveyor 32.

A barrel support 190, hereinafter referred to as a cradle, comprises twoside bars 192 (FIGS. 3, 5 and 7) spaced apart transversely of the loaderand located between the sides 40 and 42 of the frame structure 12.Adjacent their top ends the side bars 192 are provided with coaxiallyaligned, transversely extending stub shafts 194 which project outwardlyfrom the cradle 1%. Each stub shaft 194, is journalled in a bearing 196(only one of which is shown, FIG. 5) fixed to the associated projection48 below the discharge end 3 8 of the conveyor 32. The side bars 192 arerigidly interconnected, about mid way of their length (FIGS. 3, 6 and 7)by a U-shaped tie bar 193. The bight 296 of the tie bar 198 is spacedlongitudinally of the conveyor 32 toward the frame 12 from the side bars192.

Adjacent the lower ends of the side bars 192 is a transversely extendingplate 292 comprising the floor of the cradle 19!). As best shown inFIGS. 6 and 7 the floor plate 202 is generally rectangular and is fixedto the legs 204 of a plurality of reclining, L-shaped bars 266. The feet263 of the L-shaped bars 266 project upward and are are fixed at theirends to a tube 210, which extends between the side bars 122 and isrotatable about a rod 212 extending through the bore of the tube 210.The rod 212 rigidly interconnects the cradle side bars 122. Opposite,upwardly projecting ears 214 are provided on the plate 292 atsubstantially the center of the lateral edges thereof. A link 2116having an L-shaped slot 218 adjacent one end 228} is pivotally attachedadjacent the other end by a bolt 222 to each of the ears 214. It isapparent (FIGS. 5, 6 and 7) that the links 216 are disposed between thecradle side bars 192 and that the L-shaped slot 218 in each linkreceives a stud 224, which projects inwardly from the adjacent side barv192. Each slot 218 (PEG. 6) has an elongate part 226 extendinglongitudinally of the link 2 16 and an end part 228 that projectsupwardly at a right angle to the slot part 226 from the end of the part226 adjacent the pivot bolt 222.

Two strong tension springs 2311 (F168. 5 and 7) are provided, each beingstretched between the outer end of one of the pivot bolts 222 and theassociated one of the studs 224, which project outwardly beyond theopposite lateral sides of the cradle 190. The springs 23% are of suchstrength as to draw the floor plate 202 upward about the rod 212 tonormally dispose the ends parts 228 of the latching slots 218 about thestuds 224 (FIGS. 3 and 5) and thus releasably retain the floor plate 262in fixed relation with respect to the cradle side bars 192. It isapparent, therefore, that the links 216 serve as detents that releasablyretain the barrel support plate 262 in barrel receiving position. Whenin the latched position the floor plate 262 is ready to receive a barrel36 and the upper ends 220 of the links 216 project well beyond the sidebars 192 toward the frame structure 12 (FIG. 5).

A latch release 232 (FIGS. 1, 5 and 7) comprises a horizontal rod 234extending transversely of the loader 10 and having two fixed arms 236,which are spaced apart longitudinally of the rod and project radiallyfrom the rod 234 in co-planar alignment. The ends of the arms 236opposite to the rod 234 are provided with coaxially aligned sleevesections 233, respectively (FIG. 7), that are journalled on coaxiallyaligned studs 240, which project laterally of the cradle 19%) from lugs242 (FIGS. 6 and 7) on the side bars 192. By means of the studs 240 therod 234 of the latch release 232 is located beneath the upper ends 220of the latching links 216 (FIGS. 3 and 5) so that the rod 234 can swingthe links 216 upward relatively to the latch studs 224 to unlatch thefloor plate 202. At the side of the cradle 1% below the conveyor controlclutch 170 the latch release 232 is provided with a lever arm 244 (FIGS.1, 5 and 7) that is fixed to the adjacent arm 236, and projects upwardtherefrom in a radial direction with respect to the stud 246. The latchrelease 232 is biased into inoperative position against an abutment stop250 (FIGS. 5 and 7) by means of a tension spring 246 that is stretchedbetween a lug 248 on the lever arm 244 and the abutment stop 25%) on theadjacent side bar 192 of the cradle 19%. As best understood from FIG. 7the abutment stop 250 first projects laterally as at 251 from theassociated side bar 192 beyond the arm 244 and then longitudinally ofthe loader 10 as at 252 toward the frame structure 12.

If a barrel is supported by the cradle floor plate 262 and the slots 218of the links 216 are disposed with the hooked end par-ts 228 about thestuds 224 of the cradle side bars 192, the floor plate can be releasedfor down ward pivotal movement from the latched position shown in FIG. 5to the FIG. 6 position by movement of the lever arm 244 in the directionof the arrows 253 (FIG. 5). Upon such movement of the lever arm 244 theshort arms 236 are pivoted about the studs 249 thereby swinging the rod234 of the latch release 232 in a counterclockwise direction (FIG. 5).Engagement of the rod 234 with the ends 226 of the links 216 cams thelinks upward about their pivots 222 on the floor plate 262 so that theelongate parts 226 of the latching slots 213 register with the studs 224and the plate 202 is free to pivot downward (FIG. 6) against the actionof the springs 239. Thereafter, when no barrel is on the cradle floorplate 262 and the lever arm 244 is released the lever arm 244 is drawnby the spring 246 against the stop 256 so that the latch camming rod 234is in inoperative position. The cradle floor 202 is then pivoted upwardby the springs 230 so that the hooked end parts 228 of slots 218 in thelinks 216 register with the studs 224 and the weight of the links 216causes them. to move into latched position on the studs 224.

Two arcuately curved straps 254 (FIGS. 3 and 7), which are spaced apartin coaxial alignment, are located between and fixed to the cradle sidebars 192. The sides of the straps 254 nearest the frame structure 12 areinterconnected by a vertical tie 255 that is attached to the bight 290of the U-shaped tie bar 198 as well as to the straps 254. In this way,the arcuate straps 254 are held in fixed position with respect to theside bars 192 of the cradle 190. The straps 254 assure that a barrelbeing filled in the loader 10 is located on the floor plate 262 in thecradle 196 in position below the discharge end 38 of the accumulatorconveyor 32 to receive successive charges of potatoes therefrom.

In order that the cradle may be pivoted longitudinally of the loader 10on the stub shafts 194, into any one of a plurality of diflierentloading positions, a double acting power cylinder 256 is connectedbetween the base of the frame structure 12 and a bracket 257 on thevertical tie bar 255 of the cradle 196. As best seen in FIG. 3, thecylinder 256 is pivotally attached at one end to a pin 25% carried by abracket 259 on one of the cross ties 46 of the frame structure 12 belowthe roller assembly 162. The piston rod 266 of the cylinder 256 ispivotally connected by means of a pin 262 in the bracket 257. Fluidconducting lines 264 and 266 lead to opposite ends of the cylinder 256from a control valve 268 (FIGS. 1 and 5) fixed to the post adjacent theclutch 176. A fluid supply line 270 and a return line 271 leading,respectively, to a pump (not shown) and a reservoir (not shown) fromwhich fluid is supplied to the pump, are connected with the controlvalve 268. Upon suitable manipulation of a valve control handle 272fluid under pressure is directed through the line 264 to the cylinder256 to project the piston rod 266 and swing the cradle in a clockwisedirection into, for instance, the fully raised position shown in FIG. 3.Thereafter, when the handle 272 is oppositely moved, fluid underpressure is directed through the line 266 to the cylinder 256 in orderto lower the cradle 190 into any one of a plurality of loading positionsbetween the position shown in FIG. 3 and the position shown at FIG. 5,as determined by the length of time that the handle 272 is kept in thecradle lowering position.

Let it be assumed that no potatoes are on the accumulator conveyor 32 ofthe barrel loader 10 and that the accumulator conveyor 32 is at rest. Anempty barrel 36 is located in the cradle 190 and has been raised intothe position shown in FIG. 3 by manipulation of the control valve handle272. During operation of the potato harvester 16, the potatoes will bedelivered at random onto the horizontal part 86 of the accumulatorconveyor 32 by means of the supply conveyor 22. When a quantity ofpotatoes comprising a charge of the desired size, say approximatelyone-third of a barrel load, have been accumulated on the horizontal part86 of the accumulator conveyor 32 the attendant, by appropriate movementof the clutch control arm 172 actuates the conveyor 32. The charge ofpotatoes accumulated on the conveyor 32 will then be advanced betweenthe tenders 133 and 140 up the oblique part 88 of the conveyor 32 andover the discharge end 38. As the potatoes are discharged in a mass fromthe conveyor 32 they are directed by both the chute 156 and thedischarge end 38 of the conveyor downward through an opening 273 (FIG.2) into the mouth of the empty barrel 36. It will be apparent (FIG. 3)that the charge of potatoes will fall against the side of the barreladjacent the mouth thereof and from there roll gently to the bottom ofthe barrel. When the first charge of potatoes has entered the barrel theoperator stops the advancement of the conveyor 32 by means of the clutch170 and by manipulation of the handle 272 of the control valve 268,swings the cradle one step toward vertical from the fully raisedposition shown in FIG. 3. Thereafter another charge of potatoes whichaccumulated on the conveyor 32 in the meantime can be discharged fromthe accumulator into the barrel in the manner previously described.After receiving the second charge of potatoes the barrel 36 is movedanother step, either oward vertical position or into vertical position,depending upon the number of charges that the barrel can accommodate.After receiving a sufiicient number of charges in the manner describedto completely fill the barrel, the barrel is in the vertical positionshown in FIG. 5 and ready to be discharged from the loader 10. Ifdesired the accumulator 32 can be operated continuously to fill thebarrel while the barrel is lowered by more or less constant movementfrom the FIG. 3 position to the FIG. 5 position.

Since the floor plate 202 of the cradle 190 is spaced only a shortdistance above the ground the filled barrel can be easily removed fromthe cradle by moving the lever arm 244 of the latch release 232 in thedirection of the arrow 253 (FIG. 5). This unlatches the floor plate 262in the manner described for movement from the position shown in FIG. 5to the downwardly inclined position shown in FIG. 6. The filled barrelcan hen be easily slid off the floor plate 202 by an attendant.Thereafter, upon release of the lever arm 244 the floor plate 202 willbe returned to and latched in barrel receiving position FIG. 5. After anempty barrel is located in the cradle 190 another barrel fillingoperation can be performed.

Referring to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the edge 274 of the floor plate 202 atthe discharge side of the cradle has an oblique part 276 that slantsinwardly of the plate 202 toward the trailing end of the harvester 16.Additionally, the oblique edge 276 is provided with a downwardlyinclined lip 278. During the discharge of a barrel from the loader theattendant may be on the ground facing the barrel. Since the harvester ismoving in the direction of the arrow 280 (FIG. 7) and if the attendantis on the ground he can simultaneously grasp both the lever arm 244 torelease the cradle floor plate 202 for downward movement (FIG. 6) andthe side of the barrel adjacent himself. The lever arm 244 is thenimmediately released and the barrel turned in a counterclockwisedirection on the bottom edge first engaging the ground. The oblique edge276 of the plate 202 permits the barrel, at its trailing, bottom edge,to engage the ground while the lip 278 al lows the floor plate to slidealong under the barrel without damage thereto. The ends of the arcuatestraps 254 at the trailing side of the cradle push against the barrel,during discharge thereof, to further aid in the removal of the barrelfrom the cradle.

The manner in which the charges of potatoes enter the barrel while thebarrel is held in the loader of the present invention assures that lessbrusing will be incurred by the individual potatoes than in loadersheretofore known. Additionally, the filled barrels are easily dischargedfrom the loader to with a minimum of exertion by the attendant.

While a particular embodiment of the present invention has been shownand described it will be understood that the container loader of thepresent invention is capable of modification and variation withoutdeparting from the principles of the invention and that the scope of theinvention should be limited only by the scope and proper interpretationof the claims appended hereto.

The invention having thus been described, what is believed to be new anddesired to be protected by Letters Patent is:

l. In a container positioning apparatus, an arm journalled adjacent oneend for vertical swinging movement, a container support plate mounted onsaid arm adjacent the other end thereof for pivotal movement relativethereto, a latch operably associated with said support plate and saidarm and arranged to releasably retain said support plate in containerreceiving position with respect to said arm, latch actuating meanscarried by said arm and operable to release said latch for movement ofsaid support plate from said container receiving position, and resilientmeans arranged to urge said support plate into said container receivingposition.

2. in a container positioning apparatus, an arm journalled adjacent oneend for vertical swinging movement, a container support plate journalledfor vertical swinging movement on said arm adjacent the other endthereof, a latch operably associated with said support plate and saidarm and arranged to releasably retain said support plate in containerreceiving position with respect to said arm, latch actuating meanscarried by said arm and operable to release said latch for movement ofsaid support plate from said container receiving position, resilientmeans arranged to urge said support plate into container receivingposition, and arm moving means connected to said arm and arranged toswing said arm with said container support plate into any one of aplurality of fixed container supporting positions.

3. In a container positioning apparatus, an arm journalled adjacent oneend for vertical swinging movement, a container support plane journalledfor vertical swinging movement on said arm adjacent the other endthereof, a detent pivoted on said container support plate and arrangedto engage said arm to releasably retain said support plate in a certainposition with respect to said arm to receive and support a container,spring means operably associated with said arm and said containersupport plate and arranged to urge said support plate toward containerreceiving position, and detent release means on said arm arranged torelease said detent for movement of said container support plate out ofcontainer receiving position.

4-. In a container positioning apparatus, an arm journalled adjacent oneend for vertical swinging movement, a container support plate journalledfor vertical swinging movement on said arm adjacent the other endthereof, a detent pivoted on said container support plate and arrangedto engage said arm to releasably retain said support plate in a certainposition with respect to said arm to receive and support a container,spring means operably associated with said arm and said containersupport plate and arranged to urge said support plate toward containerreceiving position, detent release means on said arm arranged to releasesaid detent for movement of said container support plate out ofcontainer receiving position, and spring means operably associated withsaid detent release means and arranged to urge the detent release meansinto inoperative position.

5. In a container positioning apparatus, an arm pivotaliy mounted forvertical swinging movement, a container support plate on said arm andhaving a certain position with respect to said arm remote from thepivotal mounting thereof, and arm moving means connected to said arm andarranged to swing said arm by angular increments for movement of saidsupport plate into a succession of fixed container supporting positions.

6. In a container positioning apparatus, an arm pivotally mounted forvertical swinging movement, a container support plate journalled forvertical swinging movement on said arm remote from the pivotal mountingof the arm, a latch arranged to releasably retain said support plate ina certain position with respect 'to said arm, and

moving means connected to said arm and arranged to swing said arm byangular increments to move said support plate into any one of aplurality of fixed container supporting positions.

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